BISMARCK -- Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed legislation this afternoon repealing the North Dakota law that mandates use of the UND Fighting Sioux nickname.

Earlier, by a lopsided margin almost exactly opposite of the vote they cast to defend UND's Fighting Sioux nickname and logo in February, members of the North Dakota House approved a bill today to repeal their earlier action and clear the way for the nickname's retirement.

The vote was 63-31, sending the bill to Dalrymple, who at the start of this week's special session had asked the Legislature to repeal the nickname mandate.

This is not what it appears to be. The Spirt Lake Tribe has sued the NCAA to keep the UND Fighting Sioux nickname. Unfortunately that lawsuit will take years to resolve. Another branch of the Sioux at Standing Rock wants the logo retired.

Without the legislation (which reverses action it took earlier this year) the NCAA will revoke the UND's ability to schedule opponents and compete in intercollegiate sports. The bill was amended to require the school wait until 2015 to chose a new logo. (I guess in the meantime they will be known as the "Fighting Nothings"?)

Better change the state name then too, Dakota... I recall when the pressure was on to change the name of the Indianapolis Indians. My question is that if they change the name, do they change the "Indianapolis" part, or the "Indians" part?

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